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Britain officially declares war on Germany. Since Canada is a colony of Britain, the Dominion was automatically included in the Great War. (Decline and Progress)
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The Battle of the Somme in France was the most disastrous battle that the British/Canadian army had ever faced and was a big decline. The majority of Canadian troops were from Newfoundland and Labrador, with a low population, especially with most men gone to fight the war. Total causalities for the Allied troops reached 57, 540 (British and Canadian troops).
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The Wartime Elections Act "gave the vote to female relatives of soldiers", and simultaneously took away the vote from Canadians who were born in an enemy country, or who spoke an enemy language. Along the enemy aliens, the bill took away the right to vote from conscientious objectors. This was a progress but it wasn't a big event in my opinion.
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Prohibition was a temporary solution to a social problem during and after the war. The consumption of alcohol increased the chances of domestic abuse and arrests for drunkenness. Women's groups, such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union, proposed a ban on liquor. The groups were supported by the farm, church, lodge and and merchant associations. They said that grain (often used in production of liquor) should be used to feed soldiers and civilians instead of being wasted on alcohol.
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In the Palace of Versailles, France, the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The armistice was established on November 11, 1918 at 11 AM. "32 victorious countries of the war were named, including Canada." Robert Borden, the Prime Minister of Canada, also persuaded Britain to let the Dominion be represented as a separate nation at the meetings. Canada also joined the League of Nations separate from Britain. At the end of the war, Canada had gained international recognition and a sense of nationhood.
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The Building and Metal Trades Councils in Winnipeg voted to go on strike. They asked for 3 things:
- Decent wages ($0.85/hr)
- an eight-hour days
- the right to bargain collectively for better working conditions.
This strike quickly became a general strike and was now under the direction of the Central Strike Committee. -
The general strike carried on for 37 days. On June 21st, 1919, a crowd gathered to protest the arrests of the strike leaders. When the protesters turned violent and overturned a streetcar, the Mounted Police attacked the crowd. 1 person died and 30 more were injured. Many were arrested. This day would be known as Bloody Saturday. After 5 days, the general strike was over.
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Aboriginal veterans had the right to vote, but only if they gave up their aboriginal status. Loft wanted the government to let aboriginals keep their status and also have the right to vote. The League of Indians formed in 1919 gave aboriginals a united voice. In the 1920s and 1930s, many aboriginal rights' groups worked for better healthcare and education programs, better financial aid and control over their reserve areas.
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The Balfour Report was brought to the attention in the Imperial Conference. This resulted in Canada and the other Dominions being declared self-governing and independent. The ex-Dominions remained part of the Commonwealth of Nations, which would be a "voluntary movement declaring their allegiance to the British monarch". This was the beginning of Canada's independence from Britain and achieving autonomy.
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The Pension Act was passed in 1927, giving British subjects who were over 70 a pension on $240 a year. Subjects earning more than $365 in income annually were not eligible for pension. Women received pension only if they were widows. Despite some restrictions, a small step had been taken towards social support programs.